With rising gas prices and concern over auto emissions, more workers are taking to two wheels. But they must navigate an obstacle course of anarchic traffic conditions.

Matt Corwin was pedaling home from work on his usual route when he approached the University Bridge. A line of cars waited at the red light, as Corwin cruised past in the bike lane.

Hello, Los Angeles! Man, I've always wanted to say that. A warm hello from me in Copenhagen -– the World's Cycling Capital.

Stephen Box sent me an email explaining that a coalition of cyclists in Los Angeles got together to formulate a Bill of Rights for bikers. Feeling the pen could be mightier then the spoke, a newly formed group, the bike writers, got together and made a declaration which included the following demands. Bicyclist Bill Of Rights WHEREAS, cyclists have the right to ride the streets of our communities and this right is formally articulated in the California Vehicle Code; and WHEREAS, cyclists are considered to be the indicator species of a healthy community; and WHEREAS, cyclists are both environmental and traffic congestion solutions; and WHEREAS, cyclists are, first and foremost, people with all of the rights and privileges that come from being members of this great society; and NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE CYCLING COMMUNITY, do hereby claim the following rights: 1. Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear. 2. Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space. 3. Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement. 4. Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law. 5. Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements. 6. Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development and design that enable and support safe cycling. 7. Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling. 8. Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the organization and administration of our communities. 9. Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit with no limitations. 10. Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles. 11. Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property, and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment. 12. Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment. And further, we claim and assert these rights by taking to the streets and riding our bicycles, all in an expression of our inalienable right to ride! #12, seemed to create the most discussion for cyclists to be able to peaceably assemble. Hmmm, I can't imagine where else some sort of document like this would also be useful?  read more »

As a rule, I don't make fun of victims on this site, unless they are fashion victims. In particular, I avoid making fun of theft victims. Bike theft is perhaps one of the most infuriating yet degrading things that can happen to a cyclist. There is shame and stigma attached to being a bike theft victim, and when you're forced to report one you feel like Lionel Ritchie probably did when he reported his wife for spousal abuse. As such, to make fun of somebody under such circumstances would simply be inexcusable. (Though in the case of Lionel Ritchie, ridiculing him years after the fact for being abused by his wife is perfectly fine.) I've just received an entreaty from a fellow blogger, Michael Green of Bikeblog , whose bike was stolen in New York City only yesterday.  read more »

KQED is the local public broadcasting station in San Francisco. The topic for the 9 A.M. "Forum" show was on bicycle safety.  read more »

Guests were

• Leah Shahum, executive director of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
• Sean Co, bicycle and pedestrian planner for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
• Sean Comey, spokesman for the AAA of Northern California.
• Rob Anderson, the blogger who filed suit holding up implementation of the San Francisco bicycle plan.

If you're like me, you've been frustrated by the diminutive diameter of your road bike headset bearings. Sprinting with a 1 1/8" front end is like balancing an unabridged dictionary on a sewing needle. And as for a 1" setup, it's hard to imagine anybody ever rode a bicycle like that. I strongly believe than any still left should be forcibly removed from the road, and if you're still riding one then you must be stupid, suicidal, or both.

Fortunately, the big bike manufacturers have heard our demands and seem to be moving towards a new headset "standard," this being a 1 1/8" bearing on top and an even larger 1 1/4" bearing on the bottom. I had originally been waiting for road bike headsets to go to 1 1/4" top and bottom before upgrading, because I'm convinced that's where things are headed and I think right now head tubes are in an awkward "Popeye's arm" stage. However, it looks like I'm going to need a new bike sooner than I intended, since I smashed my last one to bits Pete Townshend-style this past weekend after failing to win yet another road race due entirely to my outmoded front end setup. (Though to be fair my lack of an eleventh cog was also partly to blame.)  read more »

Congratulations to Pegasus Partners . Pegasus has just sold Cannondale to Pacific Cycle for $190-200 million (the final price will depend on this years EBITDA). Following the purchase of Cannondale out of bankruptcy for roughly $58 million in 2003, Pegasus rebuilt Cannondale from its ashes into a $200 million/annual company.  read more »

There is something about the image (real or imagined) of strength, speed, simplicity, and freedom that highlights the messenger lifestyle and attracts our attention.

Though Davis is known for having more bicycles than people in addition to 100 miles of bicycle lanes and paths, not having a place to park a bicycle may deter many from using the environmentally friendly vehicle.